Utica School District Budget

YupYup: You have no idea what the evaluation system consists of. The majority of the system is tied directly to how well the child does on the state mandated tests. Should students come to school below grade level, (a result of the poor parenting, immigrant population), then the teachers are assessed on how well they do. Seems kind of unfair holding teachers accountable for making up deficiencies that are preexisting. The vast majority of teachers don't mind the evaluation, however, making one test the majority of the evaluation is unfair considering that teacher is accountable for things out of their hands. Even the NYS supreme court has stated that it is unfair. That is what is holding up the evaluation process. It isn't the teachers. Also, the contract is being held up by this also. They agreed to pay freeze if the district would put in writing that teacher jobs would be saved. The district won't do it. Remember, two sides to every story. Don't let the top heavy administration fool you.

Go by the admin. building. First of all they are paying what ??$24,000 a month for it...right ? They could have bought a building for less. Now with technology, everyone doesn't have to be in the same building, they could spread the employees out over all the school buildings, make them use closets for offices. Use the internet and conference calling that's why its there. Abolish the ridiculous redundant admin jobs, make them go back to teaching. The admin building has like 20 spots RESERVED for the FAT CATS so they don't have to hunt for a spot. Yet parents who have business to attend to have to park around the side of the building. Start cutting the fat off the top of the roast first, Karam.

I know wrote:

YupYup: You have no idea what the evaluation system consists of. The majority of the system is tied directly to how well the child does on the state mandated tests. Should students come to school below grade level,(a result of the poor parenting, immigrant population), then the teachers are assessed on how well they do. Seems kind of unfair holding teachers accountable for making up deficiencies that are preexisting. The vast majority of teachers don't mind the evaluation, however, making one test the majority of the evaluation is unfair considering that teacher is accountable for things out of their hands. Even the NYS supreme court has stated that it is unfair. That is what is holding up the evaluation process. It isn't the teachers. Also, the contract is being held up by this also. They agreed to pay freeze if the district would put in writing that teacher jobs would be saved. The district won't do it. Remember, two sides to every story. Don't let the top heavy administration fool you.

Why would the district (tax payers) guarantee anyone a job? The evaluation system should consider the childs baseline aptitude and look for progression. Starting test result accountability at kindergarden or earlier should decrease the likelihood of children coming into your classroom illprepared.

That is completely a valid idea. However, Nys doesn't want to use that premise. No teacher would complain about that.

You can't it both ways. You want evaluations, you want layoffs, you want pay freezes. Someone has to be willing to negotiate. We have no problem giving our taxes to low lifes refusing to work. They have no accountability. Teachers have no problems with accountability, and are actually doing something constructive. You have a need for teachers. They would take a freeze. The blame is always placed on teachers and it isn't fair for them to constantly be the ones sacrificing. They pay their taxes as well. Teachers are willing to put in their fair share, but the board and admin want more.

I know wrote:

You can't it both ways. You want evaluations, you want layoffs, you want pay freezes. Someone has to be willing to negotiate. We have no problem giving our taxes to low lifes refusing to work. They have no accountability. Teachers have no problems with accountability, and are actually doing something constructive. You have a need for teachers. They would take a freeze. The blame is always placed on teachers and it isn't fair for them to constantly be the ones sacrificing. They pay their taxes as well. Teachers are willing to put in their fair share, but the board and admin want more.

Give me a break! Not all of Utica teachers live in the City of Utica. I do understand your points - yes EVERYBODY needs to make the sacrifices including the Administration. So what's one sacrifice to go with the Evaluation plan and get the extra $700,000 in school aid and save jobs?

Come up with a fair, multi-level evaluation, and there won't be an issue. With the emphasis on one test as a major cog, that is not fair. The courts have already agreed. The governor is trying to bully it through by threatening to not give the aid. How many employers evaluate based on one day? Get real.

If the kids can not pass the state tests then the teachers are not doing their job so get rid of them. If the same kids keep on failing the tests get rid of them also. Do not waste our tax dollars on teachers that do not care and students that do not care, screw them both.

kamakazell wrote:

If the kids can not pass the state tests then the teachers are not doing their job so get rid of them. If the same kids keep on failing the tests get rid of them also. Do not waste our tax dollars on teachers that do not care and students that do not care, screw them both.

We can make the teachers and students we throw out Fireman

Looks like you would have been one of the ones thrown out. Bet you couldn't even pass the 8th grade test now.

I know wrote:

Looks like you would have been one of the ones thrown out. Bet you couldn't even pass the 8th grade test now.

You have nothing to bet,you are a broker

I know wrote:

Seems kind of unfair holding teachers accountable for making up deficiencies that are preexisting. The vast majority of teachers don't mind the evaluation, however, making one test the majority of the evaluation is unfair considering that teacher is accountable for things out of their hands.

Those things are NOT out of their hands. That's why they are teachers. If they can't teach, and can't have majority of their students pass the state test, then you are not a good teacher and please pick another profession.

No excuse wrote:

<quoted text>
Those things are NOT out of their hands. That's why they are teachers. If they can't teach, and can't have majority of their students pass the state test, then you are not a good teacher and please pick another profession.

You must be a real idiot, if you think it is easy then why don't you go do it? Imagine trying to teach 15 kids that do not even speak your language and they have to take a test. You should not be accountable for what they learned before they got to this country. What about the kids and parents that don't even care? Seriously think before you post something stupid next time. I can understand why everyone hates on teachers. I give them people props every day for working with so many special ed students and ESL.

So you are telling me that all of the kids in UCSD are either Special Ed. students,or kids who don't speak English???
Please take some blame in all of this mess, not all the teachers are doing their best, they're far from doing the best they can.
I hope you don't use that language in front of your students. You should be ashamed of yourself.

No excuse wrote:

So you are telling me that all of the kids in UCSD are either Special Ed. students,or kids who don't speak English???
Please take some blame in all of this mess, not all the teachers are doing their best, they're far from doing the best they can.
I hope you don't use that language in front of your students. You should be ashamed of yourself.

That is not what this blogger was trying to say! He/she was explaining that one of the major issues with testing our kids and not doing well is influenced by the large population of special ed and ESL students. Minorities also do poorly on these tests, which is connected to poverty and other home and social factors that teachers CANNOT control. Also, the more teachers they lay-off thanks to this economy and government, the larger the classrooms. This means that teachers cannot devote enough time on each student and therefore, ALL of the students' needs are not met. This leads to conflict with their academics as well as their testing. Why do people insist on blaming teachers for everything? We have to work with what we have, struggle to meet the needs of all learners with hardly any tools or no parent support, and to keep giving up the little that we have to the board and community. Yet, without teachers no career would be possible but we are treated like we are public enemy number one. Teachers should be held accountable but there needs to be some fairness in the process.

Send the excess to Notre Dame!!

notre dame is no different 20yrs ago maybe not anymore also the teachers in utica for most part has it rough the kids show no respecet parents dont give a dam then they wonder why so some of u people dont know what the hell u all r talking about when class rooms run 18 to 20 odd kids to 1 what do u think what will happen

"Teach"..... I understand that, but I know that there are some really bad teachers who are late to class, texting while kids are present,leaving the classroom etc....

I know wrote:

Come up with a fair, multi-level evaluation, and there won't be an issue. With the emphasis on one test as a major cog, that is not fair. The courts have already agreed. The governor is trying to bully it through by threatening to not give the aid. How many employers evaluate based on one day? Get real.

We agree. Base my evaluation on my performance and how my students do in my content, just like any other job. I don't want to be evaluated on the math results if I teach English and visa versa. Why does the governor have a problem with that concept? The real wasted tax dollars are going to those who profit from all the ridiculous testing. Just another form of political graft. I am a teacher and a tax payer (yes, Utica) and a voter. I more than earn my pay. I also spend locally and support the economy with my paycheck, as do most teachers.

dick jane and sally wrote:

<quoted text>
We agree. Base my evaluation on my performance and how my students do in my content, just like any other job. I don't want to be evaluated on the math results if I teach English and visa versa. Why does the governor have a problem with that concept? The real wasted tax dollars are going to those who profit from all the ridiculous testing. Just another form of political graft. I am a teacher and a tax payer (yes, Utica) and a voter. I more than earn my pay. I also spend locally and support the economy with my paycheck, as do most teachers.

75% of Utica School District Employees do not live in Utica.